Thoughts on Edmond Sumner and the bench.

[Pacercoltboiler]

Is he a sleeper? He was a playmaker for a team that played good basketball, Xavier. He has length, athleticism, and court vision. You guys see any way he can get minutes? Can Anibogu be a shot blocker off the bench? He is supposed to be aggressive and athletic. When these guys get healthy, do they fit in the puzzle. Alize Johnson and Aaron Holiday both seem like athletic two way players. Finally GRIII should be full strength. We are basically adding 5 players to the roster before free agency, and they are all athletic and aggressive. I love the draft picks, but I'm very interested in Sumner.

[Wizop]

Sumner got two year two way last year probably because last year was rehab year. Ike also has injuries maybe even now. Neither dominated in GLeague. Uthoff and Lemon had bigger years. Moore is total question mark. Alize is interesting particularly if he is a defensive asset at 3 and not just 4. wouldn't discount Poythress. can see a free agent taking grobs spot.

Sent from my phone.

[Tom White]

When I look at this collection of names -
Sumner
Polythress
Anibogu
Moore
- they all have one thing in common. They are just.......guys. Just like most of the rosters in the G league have. Nothing special, but nothing horrible either. Just guys. Guys who will be associated with the Pacers/Mad Ants for a while, and then they won't be. None of which has any particular skill that makes them stand out above a hundred other guys in the G league...or guys who went unsigned.

But, you know what? That isn't a bad thing. Every NBA team has to fill out their roster with exactly these sort of players. Players who might become the 10th - 13th player on the bench at some point. Break Glass In Case Of Emergency types of players. Players who also happen to be on very affordable contracts allowing the teams to pay their 1-8 or 9 players what they will demand.

They are just guys...but every team needs a collection of them.

Man, I've got a lot of hot air this morning don't I? Must be channeling Bill Walton or something.

[8305]

I think operating a farm system of sorts makes sense. Some day we will hit on a valuable role player and this will be more important when Turner and Sabonis come off their rookie contracts. We see so little of Summner, Poythress, Moore it’s tough to tell who has promise. I’m not sure Sumner is any more interesting than Anigdabou or Poythress.

[Wizop]

traditionally centers have developed at the end of the bench, point guards have been cut and play in the minors and around the world and then return, but wings make it quickly or not at all. it'll be interesting to see how a true development league and the end of one and dones changes things.

Sent from my phone.

[SmashMouthRod]

We should have a fun to watch Summer League team. I like Sumner's potential but he needs to develop into a better shooter. Has good size and athleticism. I think Alize will be a good pick for the team.

Holiday
Sumner
Alize
Leaf
Anigbogu
Poythress
Brown

[Pacercoltboiler]

Too bad kicking butt in summer league doesn't count, but it should be fun. I think our farm system looks athletic and deep. Can't be a bad thing.

[winter_mute_13]

FWIW, I'm most intrigued by Moore among the Pacers' G-League/deep bench players. Maybe Alize also but TBH I know very little about him. Definitely going to keep an eye out.

I do understand that they are all longshots though. Getting to rotation player status like GR3 did should be counted a win.

[Wizop]

I do understand that they are all longshots though. Getting to rotation player status like GR3 did should be counted a win.

the summer league question is whether anyone can go around grob3. actually question 1 is Thad. if he stays the free agent hunt will be for a wing. maybe it will be anyway as we could open the season with Turner, Sabonis, and Leaf with a dash of Ike or Big Al.

Sent from my phone.

[Jake0890]

I don't have much hope to see much of Ike and Sumner this season, either. I would've expected them to do much better than they did in the G-League if we were to give them a shot in the big leagues. KP saying he doesn't expect Alize to play this year isn't a good start for him either.

Of the end-of-bench/G-League guys, (outside of Leaf) I think Poythress has the biggest shot of getting more minutes this year. Seems like the most NBA-ready and can play the wing position that we'd be in need of should Thad leave.

[Wizop]

I don't have much hope to see much of Ike and Sumner this season, either. I would've expected them to do much better than they did in the G-League if we were to give them a shot in the big leagues.

I don't think either was 100%

Sent from my phone.

[Moooose]

I think Sumner could be an insurance option just in case we won't be able to retain some backcourt guys after this upcoming season, Lance included. He's pretty decent in college. If not because of the injury, I think he could've gotten more interest from the other teams. He's even more athletic and explosive than Holiday is, well before the injury that is. He's got a better defensive potential than Holiday too. He's in the Pacers' future plans, it seems like. I just don't see the logic in trading for him, letting him rehab for a full year or so and not give him a chance.

[Wizop]

Sumner's and Holiday's year will influence next year's negotiations with CoJo and DC.

Sent from my phone.